Twitter Reactions: South Africa complete a comprehensive whitewash of Australia with yet another clinical win

After losing the T20I series 1-2, South Africa bounced back really well and have registered a 3-0 whitewash against a full-strength Australia. The Aaron Finch-led side was completely outplayed in all three games. Be it batting first or chasing, South Africa simply dominated the series. They did rest a few players for the third game yet they came out victorious by six wickets as they chased down 255 with ease.

Marnus Labuschagne ton propels Australia to 254

Who says fairy-tales don’t exist? Ask Marnus Labuschagne. The Australian No. 4 who was born in Klerksdorp which is around 50 km from the Senwes Park, Potchefstroom (venue for the third ODI) had the perfect homecoming as he got his maiden ODI ton and it was his 108 which helped Australia post a total of 254.

He walked out to bat when Australia were in trouble. After losing David Warner early, Smith failed to convert his start as he was out for 20 to leave the Aussies at 43/2 in the 12th over. That soon turned into 55/3 as skipper Aaron Finch departed for 22. Hence, it was Labuschagne who took the responsibility and batted really well. He forged 81-run and 63-run partnerships with D’Arcy Short and Mitchell Marsh respectively as he resurrected the innings along with the two all-rounders.

He batted well towards the death overs as well as he got some quick runs and got to his 100 off 100 balls before eventually being dismissed in the final over for 108. Jhye Richardson’s unbeaten 24 in the end also took some pressure off Labuschagne. Anrich Nortje and JJ Smuts were the chief wicket-takers as both of them returned with two wickets apiece.

South Africa’s middle-order stands up and gets the team home

Chasing 255, South Africa got off to a good start as Quinton de Kock and Janneman Malan got a flurry of boundaries. However, Josh Hazlewood got rid of the openers in successive overs to leave the hosts at 54/2. However, Smuts was joined by Kyle Verreynne in the 11th over and the duo scored 96 runs for the third wicket. Both batsmen struck fifties before the latter was dismissed by Zampa.

However, it didn’t really make a difference as Heinrich Klaasen walked in and continued his brilliant form. He scored a half-century too and shared a 79-run stand with Smuts who fell 16 runs short of a maiden ton. Klaasen remained unbeaten on 68 and took the team home as South Africa clean swept the series 3-0.

Here’s how Twitter reacted: